SA Urges Calm Amid Post-Election Unrest in Mozambique, Calls for Swift Justice and Democratic Adherence

DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola emphasizes rule of law in Mozambique post-election unrest, highlights SADC’s ongoing commitment to regional democratic standards.

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has reiterated calls for calm and restraint following incidents of post-election violence in Mozambique. Addressing the press on Tuesday, Lamola confirmed that he held discussions on November 6 with Mozambique’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Verónica Macamo, to address mounting security concerns in the wake of Mozambique’s general elections, held on October 9, 2024.

Lamola expressed South Africa’s concerns over reports of violence and property damage that followed the election results, underscoring the need for Mozambique’s law enforcement agencies to conduct thorough investigations and bring perpetrators to justice. “South Africa expresses concern at the outbreak of incidents of post-electoral violence and regrets the loss of lives and destruction of property. We reiterate our calls for calm and restraint, to allow the electoral process to conclude successfully, and to give the Constitutional Court of Mozambique time and space to address the concerns raised by all parties and validate the election results in accordance with its mandate,” said Lamola.

Role of SADC and the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM)

South Africa, as an active member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), played a significant role in overseeing the election process through its involvement in the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM). Led by former President of Zanzibar, Dr. Amani Abeid Karume, the SEOM comprised 53 observers from 10 SADC member states, providing oversight during Mozambique’s presidential, legislative, and provincial elections. Despite logistical challenges such as a late amendment to the Electoral Law affecting voter education, SEOM concluded that the election process was largely peaceful, organized, and conducted in a free environment.

Voter Turnout and Preliminary Findings

Out of over 17 million registered Mozambican voters, only 43% participated in the elections, with just over 7.4 million citizens casting their ballots. The SEOM’s Preliminary Statement acknowledged the challenges encountered but affirmed the elections as fair, highlighting areas needing improvement for future elections.

SADC Summits on Regional Developments

The upcoming SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit and SADC Extraordinary Summit, scheduled for November 20 in Zimbabwe, will address regional political developments, including the elections in Mozambique, Botswana, and Mauritius. These meetings, preceded by sessions of senior officials and ministers starting on November 15, will facilitate discussions on electoral processes and democratic governance across SADC member states. Minister Lamola stated, “South Africa, therefore, believes that the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections remain the viable set of norms to support the delivery of regular, free, fair, and credible elections in the SADC Member States.”

Looking Forward: Regional Stability and Democratic Norms

South Africa, through DIRCO and its active role within SADC, aims to support regional stability by promoting fair electoral practices and adhering to democratic norms. President Cyril Ramaphosa echoed this sentiment, urging Mozambican citizens to respect legal processes for dispute resolution and stressing the need for stability to facilitate Mozambique’s continued growth and development. As the region prepares for further elections, South Africa’s stance reaffirms SADC’s dedication to supporting peaceful, transparent elections that reflect the will of the people.